Infectious Complications in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Pathogenesis, Spectrum, Treatment Vicki A. Morrison, MD Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota Staff Physician, Sections of Hematology/Oncology & Infectious Disease VAMC (Minneapolis, MN)
Areas to be covered Pathogenesis Spectrum of infections Strategies for prevention and prophylaxis of infection
Pathogenesis of Infection
Hypogammaglobulinemia Disease duration, stage Related to functional abnormalities of T- and non-clonal CD5-negative B-cells No clear correlation with specific Ig class deficiency
Impact of Ig V H Mutational Status No difference in Ig levels, immune response to vaccination, infection rate 1 Unmutated gene status - shorter time to 1st infection, higher infection-related mortality 2 No impact on recurrent infections Immunoglobulin levels comparable Shorter time to first infection - p53, CD38+ No impact by zap-70 expression 1 Sinisalo M, et al. Leuk Lymphoma 2004; 45:2451-2454 2 Francis F, et al. Cancer 2006; 107:1023-1033
Mucosal Immunity Infections common at mucosal sites Salivary Ig levels Salivary IgM levels decreased No difference in salivary IgG and IgA levels No correlation with infection Mucosal immunity - independent regulation, or part of the malignant B-cell clone?
Defects in Cell-Mediated Immunity and Complement No correlation with infectious complications Decreased CD4/CD8 ratio Excessive T-suppressor, deficient T-helper cell function Defects in NK-cell, LAK cell activity Impaired response to recall antigens Complement Reductions in levels Defects in activation and binding
Spectrum of Infections
Conventional Alkylator-Based Regimens Common bacterial pathogens Recurrent infections Infections originating at mucosal sites Fungal and viral infections
Fludarabine-Based Regimens Common bacterial, opportunistic infections Pathogenesis related to T-cell defects Decline in T-cell counts occur early CD4 > CD8, NK cells Defects persist 1-2 yrs after therapy d/c d Variable impact on Ig levels
Risk Factors for Infection - Fludarabine Regimens Disease stage, prior therapy, response to therapy Risk factors for major infections 1 Prior therapy for CLL Advanced stage disease Elevated creatinine Intergroup trial (CALGB 9011) 2 Baseline low IgG level No correlation with disease stage, response to therapy Number of prior regimens, hemoglobin <12 g/dl 3 1 Anaissie E, et al. Ann Intern Med 1998; 129:559-566 2 Morrison VA, et al. J Clin Oncol 2001; 19:3611-3621 3 Hensel M, et al. Br J Haematol 2003; 122:600-606
Infections with Fludarabine- vs Alkylator-Based Regimens Meta-analysis, single agent fludarabine - more Gr 3/4 infections than with alkylators 1 French trial - F vs CAP vs ChOP - no OI s w/f 2 Intergroup trial (CALGB 9011) - F vs C vs FC 3 More infections with FC F vs C More infections/month of follow-up More major infections, herpesvirus infections Few cases of Pneumocystis, no Aspergillus infections 1 Steurer M, et al. Cancer Treat Rev 2006; 32:377-389 2 Leporrier M, et al. Blood 2001; 98:2319-2325 3 Morrison VA, et al. J Clin Oncol 2001; 19:3611-3621
Infections - Fludarabine / Cyclophosphamide German trials - F vs FC 1 Rate of severe infections/oi s comparable (33%, 40%) Dose reductions more common with FC Addition of oblimersan to FC 2 Use of FC in previously treated patients 3 57% with infections, FUO 26% - herpesviruses 7% - fungal pathogens Incidence in 1st 3 cycles of therapy - 74% 1 Eichhorst B, et al. Blood 2006; 107:885-891 2 O Brien S, et al. J Clin Oncol 2007; 25:1114-1120 3 Kowal M, et al. Leuk Lymphoma 2004; 45:1159-1165
Rituximab-Based Regimens Single agent rituximab - few infections 1 FR (CALGB 9712) - 20% Gr 3/4 infections 2 OI s - localized herpesvirus infections, PCP (2) FCR - infection rates 3,4 Major Herpesvirus Treatment-naïve 2.6% 5% Previously treated* 16% 1% (*comparable in F-sensitive and F-refractory patients) 1 Hainsworth JD, et al. J Clin Oncol 2003; 21:1746-1751 2 Byrd JC, et al. Blood 2003; 101:6-14 3 Keating MJ, et al. J Clin Oncol 2005:23:4079-4088 4 Wierda, W, et al. J Clin Oncol 2005; 23:4070-4078
2-CDA Therapy T-cell abnormalities - may persist for 1-2 yrs after agent d/c d Age <55 yrs - prior therapy (45% vs 26%) 1 CALGB 9211 - Gr 3-5 infections in 43% F- refractory patients 2 Bacterial infections most common HSV, HZ, cerebral toxo, candidal esophagitis 1 Robak T, et al. Leukemia 1999; 13:518-523 2 Byrd JC, et sl. Leukemia 2003; 17:323-327
2-CDA Therapy 2-CDA +/- prednisone 1 Infections/FUO Herpesvirus infections Prior treatment 49% 38% Treatment-naïve 25% 20% Treatment-naïve - 2CDA or Chlorambucil, + prednisone 2 FN/FUO Herpesvirus infections 2-CDA 23% 21% Chlorambucil 11% 11% 1 Robak T, et al. Br J Haematol 2000; 108:357-368 2 Robak T, et al. Blood 2000; 96:2723-2729
Pentostatin Therapy Cellular immune defects may persist for several months after d/c of agent CALGB phase II trial 1 Infections in >50% of patients - occur early More common with advanced stage disease, prior therapy OI s in 26% - HSV, HZ, Candida, Pneumocystis ECOG trial - pentostatin, chlorambucil, prednisone - treatment-naive 2 Gr 3 infections - 31% Herpes zoster - 20% PCR - Gr 3/4 infections - 28% 3 1 Dillman DO, et al. J Clin Oncol 1989; 7:433-438 2 Oken MM, et al. Leuk Lymphoma 2004; 45:79-84 3 Lamanna N, et al. J Clin Oncol 2006; 24:1575-1581
Alemtuzumab Therapy Defects in cell-mediated immunity Develop within 1-2 mos of treatment Persist for at least 9 mos after therapy d/c d No correlation of immunosuppression with: Cumulative dose Route of administration Infections may be more common in nonresponding patients CMV reactivation
Alemtuzumab - Pivotal Trial n=93, failed fludarabine 27% - Gr 3/4 infections (10% - responders) Aspergillosis, candidiasis, zygomycosis, cryptococcosis Listeria meningitis Pneumocystis CMV reactivation Keating MJ, et al. Blood 2002;99:3354-3361
First-Line Therapy - Alemtuzumab vs Chlorambucil Alemtuzumab, 30 mg, 3 times wkly Chlorambucil, 40 mg/m 2 q 28 days Up to 12 wks therapy N=297 Improved ORR/CR with alemtuzumab (83%/24%, vs 55%/2%), superior PFS More infusion-related AE s, CMV events with alemtuzumab Hillmen P, et al. J Clin Oncol 2007
Flu-Cam for Relapsed/Refractory CLL n=36, phase 2 trial Flu - 30 mg/m 2 /d X 3 d Cam - 30 mg/d X 3 d 28 day cycles - maximum 6 cycles Prophylaxis - TMP/SMX, valacyclovir Continued 2 mos after completion of therapy 2 CMV reactivations 2 Aspergillus pneumonias 1 fatal E. coli sepsis Elter T, et al. J Clin Oncol 2005; 23:7024-7031
Alemtuzumab - Lymphoproliferative Disorders DFCI/BWH - n=27 (21 CLL, 6 plasma cell disorder) Mortality - 37% (7/10 deaths infection-related) 15/27 (56%) - OI s CMV viremia (44%) 9/21 (43%) CLL patients - 12 OI s Aspergillosis (3), pyomyositis/bacteremia (2), single cases of: PML, adenoviral pneumonia, disseminated histoplasmosis, disseminated cryptococcosis, cerebral toxoplasmosis, disseminated acanthamaebiasis, CMV pneumonitis/colitis 4/12 - neutropenic infections 22/27 (82%) - 30, non-oi infections 3 deaths - enterococcal bacteremia (2-VRE) Martin SI, et al. Clin Infec Dis 2006; 43:16-24
Alemtuzumab - Lymphoproliferative Disorders Literature review - n=410, 262 infections 167 (64%) OI s HSV most common (32%) CMV reactivation (31%) Pneumocystis (7%) Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (6%) Herpes zoster (4%) Others - TB, cutaneous non-tb mycobacterial infections, sinonasal zygomycosis, PML, pulmonary cryptococcosis 95 non-oi infections Sepsis (30%) (E. coli) Pneumonia (28%) Martin SI, et al. Clin Infec Dis 2006; 43:16-24
Alemtuzumab + Rituximab Alemtuzumab + rituximab for relapsed/refractory B-cell disorders 1 52% - infections 27% - CMV antigenemia 15% required therapy 1 Faderl S, et al. Blood 2003; 101:3413-3415
Alemtuzumab as Consolidation Therapy MDACC, n=41 1 CR with MRD, PR, npr Alemtuzumab consolidation - median of 5 mos after completion of induction therapy Gr 3/4 neutropenia - 30% 15 infections 9 - CMV reactivation Viral myocarditis, Listeria, septicemia, influenza A pneumonia EBV+ large cell NHL (3) - 2 resolved w/o treatment N=9, initial F, alemtuzumab consolidation, median of 5 (range, 2-11) mos after F 2 3 - CMV reactivation without disease 1 O Brien SM, et al. Cancer 2003; 98:2657-2663 2 Montillo M, et al. Haematologica 2002; 87:695-700
Alemtuzumab as Consolidation Therapy German CLLSG - CLL 4B - F or FC - alemtuzumab (2 mos after F/FC x 12 wks) vs observation 1 Terminated early - 7/11 Gr 3/4 infections 4 CMV reactivation, pulm aspergillosis, pulmonary TB reactivation, herpes zoster 1 Wendtner CM, et al. Leukemia 2004; 18:1093-1101
Alemtuzumab as Consolidation Therapy CALGB 19901 - F x 4, alemtuzumab x 6 wks, 2 mos later 1,2,3 12/57 - Gr 3/4 infections CMV reactivation - 8/57 1 - fatal 6 - complete/partial resolution 1 - persistent infection Weekly qualitative CMV PCR testing 3/18 - CMV reactivation, no disease CALGB 10101 - FR x 6, alemtuzumab consolidation 3 mos later 4 1,2 Rai KR, et al. Blood 2002; 100:205-206a, Blood 2003; 102:676-677a 3 Morrison VA, et al; 4 Lin T, et al; Tues 12/11 CLL session
Alemtuzumab as Consolidation Therapy CALGB study: induction with FR, followed four months later by alemtuzumab consolidation Consolidation was associated with 5 infection-related deaths in patients achieving a CR after FR induction (Legionella, CMV, and Pneumocystis pneumonia; viral and Listeria meningitis)
Alemtuzumab as Consolidation Therapy What are the issues? Cumulative alemtuzumab dose Cumulative fludarabine dose Immune impact from prior rituximab Response to induction therapy Timing of consolidation following induction therapy Prospective assessment of immune function following induction therapy, consolidation therapy, post-consolidation may be needed (treatment-naïve, relapsed/refractory)
Strategies for Prevention and Prophylaxis of Infection
Immunoglobulin Therapy Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of prophylactic IVIG 1 400 mg/kg q 3 wks Reduction in minor/moderate bacterial infections No decrease in major infections, mortality No quality of life benefit - not cost-effective Prophylactic low-dose IVIG 250-500 mg/kg q 4 wks Reduction of infections in some series, not others Cost-effectiveness Optimal dose, schedule, subset of patients that will benefit not clear 1 N Engl J Med 1988; 319:902-907
Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Regimens for CLL Patients Antibacterial Ciprofloxacin 500 mg po bid Levofloxacin 500 mg po qd Antifungal Fluconazole 200 or 400 mg po qd Posaconazole 300 mg po bid x 1d, then 300 mg po qd Voriconazole 200 mg po bid
Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Regimens for CLL Patients Antiviral - HSV / HZ HSV: Acyclovir 400-800 mg po bid HZ: Acyclovir 800 mg po bid Valacyclovir 500 mg po bid-tid, with food Famciclovir 250 mg po bidcmv Antiviral CMV Valganciclovir 900 mg qd Ganciclovir 5 mg/kg IV qd
Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Regimens for CLL Patients Pneumocystis Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole - one SS po qd or one DS po qd, or 3x wkly Dapsone 100 mg po qd Pentamidine 300 mg by aerosol q 4 wks Dapsone 200 mg po + pyrimethamine 50-75 mg po + leucovorin 25 mg po q wk Atovaquone 1500 mg po qd with high-fat meal
Recommended Antimicrobial Prophylaxis by CLL Treatment Regimen Regimen Antibacterial Antifungal PCP HSV/VZV CMV Alkylating agents (eg, chlorambucil) No No No No No Purine analog monotherapy (eg, fludarabine) No No No Yes No Purine analog + anti-cd20 monoclonal antibody No No No Yes No Purine analog + cyclophosphamide No No Yes Yes No
Recommended Antimicrobial Prophylaxis by CLL Treatment Regimen Regimen Antibacterial Antifungal PCP HSV/VZV CMV Purine analog + cyclophosphamide + anti-cd20 monoclonal antibody No No Yes Yes No Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (rituximab, ofatumumab, obinutuzumab) No No No No No Alemtuzumab No No Yes Yes Wkly PCR Monitoring
Recommended Antimicrobial Prophylaxis by CLL Treatment Regimen Regimen Antibacterial Antifungal PCP HSV/VZV CMV Bendamustine No No No No No Lenalidomide No No No No No Ibritinib No No No No No Idelalisib No No No No No
Alemtuzumab Therapy and CMV Reactivation Incidence of 4-29% (symptomatic infection) Presentation as FUO, cough Asymptomatic infections identified by + antigen assays, PCR testing 67% (previously treated) 46% (treatment-naïve) 4-6 wks after initiation of therapy Lymphopenia Neutrophil nadir Infections after completion of therapy, deaths uncommon
Monitoring of CMV Reactivation Phosphoprotein 65 (pp65) antigenemia assay (antigen) Rapid, sensitive, limited with severe leukopenia Quantitative PCR assays (CMV DNA) 1 More sensitive, reliable Cutoff for initiation of preemptive therapy Better than viral culture, qualitative PCR methods Smith TF, et al. Clin Infect Dis 2007; 45:1056-1061
CMV - Preemptive Therapy PCR testing, institution of therapy with CMV reactivation Initiate upon 2 consecutive + results, obtained a wk apart Treatment options - symptomatic infection Ganciclovir, 5 mg/kg IV bid, or 1000 mg po tid Valganciclovir, 900 mg po bid Duration - 14-21 days Until resolution of symptoms and negative test, or 2 consecutive negative results Continue alemtuzumab unless persistently symptomatic O Brien S, et al. Clin Lymphoma 2006; 7:125-130
CMV - Preemptive Therapy Treatment options - asymptomatic infection Ganciclovir, 5 mg/kg IV bid, or 1000 mg po tid Duration - 7-14 days, or until 2 consecutive negative results Continue alemtuzumab CMV surveillance/preemptive therapy decreases incidence of symptomatic reactivation from 30% to 9% O Brien S, et al. Clin Lymphoma 2006; 7:125-130
CMV Prophylaxis Valacyclovir (500 mg qd) vs valganciclovir (450 mg bid) 1 Symptomatic CMV reactivation - 7/20 (35%) valacyclovir 0/20 valganciclovir CMV testing q 2 wks Duration - continue 2 mos after completion of therapy 1 O Brien S, et al. Blood 2005;106:830a
Vaccination Strategies Responses to immunization suboptimal Improved responses if IgG > 700 mg/dl Superior responses with: Protein, conjugated vaccines than polysaccharide vaccines Adjuvant ranitidine treatment No formal vaccine recommendations (ZostaVax)
Future Issues Significant impact of infectious complications With new therapeutic modalities, evaluate not only traditional outcome parameters, but also impact on infectious complications Utilize real world monitoring techniques Identification of discrete patient subsets at increased risk for infection